Mekong River Commission P.O. Box 6101, 184 Fa Ngoum Road, Unit 18, Ban Sithane Neua, Sikhottabong District, Vientiane 01000, Lao PDR Telephone: (856-21) 263 263   Facsimile: (856-21) 263 264

JOB DESCRIPTION  

Updated: January 2010

1.       The Mekong River Commission and MRC Secretariat

The Mekong River Commission (MRC) was established by the 1995 Agreement on Co-operation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin, between the governments of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Viet Nam. In accordance with this Agreement, the Mission of MRC is: “To promote and coordinate sustainable management and development of water and related resources for the countries’ mutual benefit and the people’s well being by implementing strategic programmes and activities and providing scientific information and policy advice.”

The MRC Secretariat is the operational arm of the MRC. It provides technical and administrative services to the JC and the Council to achieve the MRC’s mission.

2.       The Human Resources Section (HRS)

The Section aims to ensure the development of the right skills, competencies, and organizational culture in the MRC to support full implementation of the Strategic Plan. HRS includes the Integrated Capacity Building Programme. The Section is to provide the Secretariat and operational programmes with modern and highly efficient personnel support. The Section is also responsible for interacting effectively on such matters with the National Mekong Committees (NMCs), riparian national agencies, international agencies and donor communities.

3.       Integrated Capacity Building Programme (ICBP)

To ensure the effective and sustainable development of the water and environmental resources in the Lower Mekong region according to the shared concepts of integrated water resources management, it is vital to develop the capacity of the MRC organisations and their staff.  Capacity development and the development of a capacity building unit which will integrate all capacity building of the MRC is a long term process which will extend past the duration of the 2009 - 2013 programme. The goal of the ICBP programme is to significantly increase the effectiveness of the MRC, NMCs and prioritised national agencies in ensuring the sustainable development of the Mekong and related resources. The objective of the programme is that the “MRC, National Mekong Committees (NMCs) and prioritised national agencies demonstrate an increased level of capacity to contribute to MRC objectives[1]”.

The ICBP team is made up of the ICBP Coordinator, the Chief Technical Advisor, five Programme Officers (POs) and the support staff working at the MRCS offices in Vientiane and Phnom Penh and the national ICBP Coordinators in each of the NMCSs. The ICBP-Human Resource Development Officer will work closely with other team members.

The Junior Riparian Professional (JRP) Project began in early 2008 under the ICBP with support from the Government of Finland. The overall objective is to improve the integrated river basin management skills of young professionals in order to ensure expertise at regional and national levels, and to ensure that there are sufficient technically qualified staff within the NMCs and line agencies for future work in managing the Mekong Basin. 

The MRC Internship Programme operates under the ICBP and the Human Resource Development Section, and offers opportunities for small groups of university students and graduates to acquire hands-on-experience through the work programmes and related work at the MRC Secretariat.

4.       Job Summary

Under supervision of the Programme Coordinator, the Human Resources Development Officer will be responsible for the management of the JRP project, coorduination of internship opportunities within MRC and other related capacity building activities under the ICB programme.

5.       Key Tasks              

The incumbent performs the following tasks:

-     Provides overall management to the Junior Riparian Professional (JRP) project including  liaising with NMCs, recruitment of JRPs,  procurement of service providers, liaison with programmes to facilitate on-the-job assignments and budget management;

-     Provides overall coordination of the internship process at MRCS including development of guidelines, advertising of opportunities, liaison with programmes to facilitate internship opportunities;

-     Provides overall coordination to work exchange assignments, research fellowships, etc at MRCS and provide guidance to such processes at NMCs;

-     Updates/revises/designs a revised orientation process and facilitate periodic orientation for new staff joining the Secretariat;

-     Coordinates the capacity building activities for NMC’s and the MRCS under the budget available from OEB;

-     Coordinates the development  and implementation of the core training modules;

-     Works in collaboration with Personnel and programmes to make the orientation modules available to all new staff and to monitor progress/completion;

-     Coordinates scholarship related information management process under ICBP;

-     Acts as a co-trainer and/or facilitator of training and workshops;

-     Cooperates and coordinates with NMCs to facilitate implementation of the ICBP;

-     In collaboration with responsible units, advertises TOR, selects and monitors contracts with service providers;

-     Contributes to overall programme communication, and monitoring and evaluation as related to his/her portfolio of activities;

-     Manages responsible budget lines in accordance with donors, MRCS and FAS requirements;

-     Prepares work plans, reports and other relevant documentation to contribute to the overall ICBP implementation;

-     Takes part in meetings, workshops and training as appropriate and agreed with supervisors; and

-     Performs related tasks as requested by supervisor.

6.       Scope of Authority

a)    Supervision requirements: The incumbent does not have any supervisory responsibilities.

b)    Level of autonomy: Decision-making is subject to consultation with Section Chief (ICBP Programme Coordinator).

c)    Level of problem solving required: Problem solving can be complex and the incumbent must display sensitivity, initiative and creativity.

d)    Level and type of communications required: Communications are wide, both within and outside of the organisation, and a routine written documentation is required of the position.

7.       Competence Requirements

Core Values: Integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.

Core Competencies: Communication, teamwork, planning and organising, accountability, creativity, client orientation, commitment to continuous learning, and technological awareness.

Managerial Competencies: Vision, leadership, empowering others, building trust, financial management, coordination, performance management and judgement/decision-making.

8.       Post-Specific Qualifications

-     Master’s Degree in Capacity Building/Adult Education, Human Resource Management, International Development, Development Management/MBA, or related fields;

-     At least 5 years working experience in the development sector and, in particular, experience in capacity building/ training /human resources development;

-     Experience in development project planning, budget management and reporting; and

-     Fluency in English both written and spoken is required.

9.       Desired post-specific qualifications

-     Extensive training experience, especially im multi-cultural settings;

-      Ability to work comfortably with senior officials, consultants and experts; and

-      Strong coordination skills.

10.   Signatures

The incumbent:                          ______________                                    ______________ (date)

Programme Coordinator: ______________                                     ______________ (date)